asset-stripper
asset-stripper
a predator firm which takes control of another firm (see TAKEOVER) with a view to selling off that firm's ASSETS, wholly or in part, for financial gain rather than continuing the firm as an ongoing business.The classical recipe for asset-stripping arises when the realizable MARKET VALUE of the firm's assets is much greater than what it would cost the predator to buy the firm; i.e., where there is a marked discrepancy between the asset-backing per share of the target firm and the price per share required to take the firm over. This discrepancy usually results from a combination of two factors:
- gross under-valuation of the firm's assets in the BALANCE SHEET;
- mismanagement or bad luck resulting in low profits or losses, both of which serve to depress the firm's share price.
asset-stripper
a predator firm that takes control of another firm (see TAKEOVER) with a view to selling off that firm's ASSETS, wholly or in part, for financial gain rather than continuing the firm as an ongoing business.The classical recipe for asset-stripping arises when the realizable market value of the firm's assets are much greater than what it would cost the predator to buy the firm; i.e. where there is a marked discrepancy between the asset-backing per share of the target firm and the price per share required to take the firm over. This discrepancy usually results from a combination of two factors:
- gross undervaluation of the firm's assets in the BALANCE SHEET;
- mismanagement or bad luck, resulting in low profits or losses, both of which serve to depress the firm's share price.